Truss.



G. A. STARKWEATHEB.

TRUSS.

APPLICATION FILED APR 1.6, 1913.

1 p 1 Q7, 30%. Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

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GEORGE A. STARKWEA'IHER, 035 FORT TMADISON, IOWA.

TRUSS.

T (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. STARK- wnarnnn, citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Madison, in the county of Lee, and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trusses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to trusses and has as its object to provide a truss designed par ticularly for use in the treatment of hernia and rupture and the primary aim ofthe inventionis to so construct the truss that it will readily adapt itself to the body of the wearer when applied and will at all times maintain its position of adjustment.

Another aim of the invention is to pro vide a truss in which the pad may be adjusted to assume a position above the belt line.

Another aim of the invention is to so construct the truss that by the manipulation of a single strap, constituting a portion of the belt, the belt may be tightened about the body and the pad may be held at adjustment above or below the belt.

It is another aim of the invention to provide, in' a truss, a pad of such composition that it will readily conform to the part against which it is held and will adapt itself to fit the opening of the rupture.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to thei following description and accompanying'drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the truss embodying the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the truss. 5

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indi-' cated in the views of the accompanying drawing by the same reference characters.

In the drawing the belt is indicated inv general by the reference numeralfl and throughout a portion of its length is of twoply structure, these plies being indicated one by the numeral 2 and the other by the numeral 3, the ply 3 being stitched to the inner side of the ply 2 and at one end being continued for a short distance beyond the corresponding end ofthe ply 2 as indicated at 4 for a purpose to be presently explained.

It will be apparent by reference to the drawings that the two-ply nature of the belt through the portion of its length mentioned provides a pocket closed at one end and opeir Specification of Letters Patent.

Patentedlteb. 2, 1915.

Application filed April 16, 1913. Serial No. 761,591.

which is connected one end of aniarm 4.

' The portion 4 of the ply 3 extends beside the inner face of the arm 7 as shown in the drawing and a screw 8 is fitted through an opening in the arm 7 and through the said portion at. of the belt and threaded into the pad of the truss which is indicated at 9 and is of the ordinary form.

At this point it will be noted that the extended portion 4 of the ply 3 serves to protect the body of the wearer of the truss as against injury or inconvenience which would otherwise be liable to result from contact of the eye 6 andthe arm 7 with the body. 7

For a purpose to bepresently explained a headed stud 10 is threaded or otherwise secured upon the arm 4 at a point between the pivoted end of the arm and the pad 9 and the arm beyond the screw 8 is formed with an opening 11 in which and a similar opening in the arm 12, is secured a pivot pin 13. The arm 12 is preferably substantially the same length as the arm 7 and at its free end is provided with a headed stud 14.

At this point it will be apparent that the arms 7 and 12 may be relatively angularly adiusted so as to position the pad 9 above or below the belt line. The ply 2 of thebelt is formed at suitable spaced intervals with openings 15 and these openings are designed to receive the studs 10 and 14 as will now be explained.

In applying the truss, the belt is disposed about the waist of the wearer and is tightened to the desired degree and the ply 2 is engaged with the stud 14 in the manner shown in Fig. 1. The pad?) is then moved upwardly or downwardly, causing the arms 7 and 12 to assumega certain definite position with respect to each other and when the pad 9 has been brought to bear properly against the part. the ply 2 is engaged with the stud 10 by fitting the stud through the adjacent opening 15 in the said ply.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the truss may be readily and quickly adjusted to the body and that after application the pad 9 may be moved upwardly or downwardly so as to bear against the part to be held in position, whereupon the ply 2 may be engaged with the stud 10 to hold the arms 7 and 12 in the position to which they are adjusted by the adjustment of the pad 9. It will further be seen that the perforated portion of the ply 2 serves not only to hold the belt as a whole to the body but also as a means for holding the arms 7 and 12 in properly adjusted position. It will further be apparent that due to the pivotal connection of the arm 7 with the reinforcing or stiffening wire at its bend 6, the pad 9 may be caused to bear with the proper degree of firmness against the protruding part.

The pad 9 is preferably of a composition consisting of sorghum, molasses, glycerin and glue. I employ a pad of this composition for the reason that it possesses the desired degree of softness, is more or less elastic, and will readily mold or adapt itself to the opening of the rupture which it is designed to support.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is j j I 1. In a truss, a belt strap, provided with a pocket, a reinforcing member consisting of a length of wire bent upon itself and having its spaced portions fitted in the pocket, the bend projecting beyond the mouth of the pocket and constituting an eye, an arm pivoted to the said eye and arranged for connection with the end of the strap, and a pad carried by the arm.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for 2. In a truss, a belt having a pocket extending lengthwise thereof, a reinforcing member consisting of a length of wire bent upon itself and having its spaced portions fitted in the pocket, the bend projecting beyond the mouth of the pocket and constituting an eye, an arm pivoted to the said eye, an arm pivoted to the first mentioned arm, a pad carried by one of the arms, and a strip arranged for connection with the -second mentioned arm for holding the belt at adjustment to the body and adapted for adjustable connection with the first mentioned arm for holding the said arms at relative angular adjustment whereby to position the pad above or below the belt line.

3. Ina truss, a belt, a rigid arm secured to the belt and extending beside one end thereof, a stud carried by the arm, a pad carried by the said end of the belt, a rigid arm pivotally connected at one end to the outer end-of the first mentioned arm, and a stud carried by the other end of the last mentioned arm, the belt adjacent its other end being provided with a series of openings engageable selectively with the said studs whereby the second mentioned arm may be held at angular adjustment with respect to the first mentioned arm.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

I GEORGE A. STARKWEATHER.

Witnesses:

NORMAN E. COLBY, JosEPH F. BERGTHOLD.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents,

Washington, D. G. 

